How to Find Owners of Properties
in Mississippi

Performing a title search is essential to any real estate transaction, whether you're buying or leasing. This process involves reviewing historical records to confirm the property's legal ownership and identify any potential issues or encumbrances that could impact the title.

Luckily, property records in Mississippi are available for perusal. The Mississippi Public Records Act guarantees public access to records held by governmental entities, promoting transparency and accountability.

Understandably, however, this process, visiting government offices one after the other, can be a lot to do alone. That is why third-party platforms are providing this service.

Below, let's go through the different ways to do a property owner lookup in Mississippi.

Visit Your County Recorder's Office

The Registry of Deeds in Mississippi provides two essential services for county residents. It securely microfilms all property-related documents and survey plans, assigning each recorded document a unique sequential identifier known as the book and page number. These records are then digitized and stored in the registry's computer system.

Residents can access and print scanned images at public terminals in the registry or remotely from their homes or offices. Additionally, the Registry of Deeds manages the collection and distribution of transfer taxes and supplies deed copies to local towns, aiding tax assessors in updating property records.

Check Out the Local Tax Assessor Office

Each year, the Assessor's Office updates property valuations to reflect any changes, such as additions or removals. Acting as a central resource, the office supplies building and land records, monthly sales data, and valuation information to town departments, the public, and professionals like appraisers, brokers, attorneys, surveyors, and title companies.

It also generates reports from commitment files to support various town departments. Additionally, the office oversees the naming and numbering of streets. Valuation reports containing assessment and ownership details, as well as individual tax maps, are available upon request.

Hire a Title Search Company

Locating property records can be challenging, particularly when they are not filed with the County Registry of Deeds. In such cases, the record seeker might suggest that the property owner contact their mortgage company to check if they have the original deed.

Property owners can also consult their lawyers to see if the deed is included in their wills. When working with title search agencies, individuals should provide the record holder's full name, along with the city and state, in the search fields. It's important to note that obtaining a complete property records report typically requires paying a small fee.

There are different ways of owning property in Mississippi including sole ownership and co-ownership. It's crucial to weigh your options, as each one comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Common types of real estate ownership in Mississippi:

A deed is a document used to indicate ownership of real estate. It typically involves the participation of two parties: a grantor, who is the party transferring the property, and a grantee, who receives the same. In Mississippi, deeds have to be executed either in the presence of one or two witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public.

All deeds are required to be recorded in the probate office in the county where the property is located in order for the grantee to be considered the legal owner of the property. There are several kinds of deeds that offer different warranties or guarantees regarding the property.

The primary types of deeds commonly used in Mississippi are outlined below:

Common reasons to do a property transfer include a sale, the death of an owner, and divorce. A deed is the legal instrument used to transfer ownership of property. In Mississippi, property transfer requires the preparation of a new deed that meets all legal requirements for land transfer.

Since land transfer involves some legal processes, it is essential to seek professional advice when setting up the papers.

Here are major steps you need you need to take when transferring property in Mississippi:

• Prepare All the Paperwork: Take the time to collect all necessary documents and paperwork. You'll need a Mississippi deed template to help you complete the deed and provide the required details. Additionally, gather any other documents needed for a legal property ownership transfer in Mississippi.

  These include a property disclosure form, which the grantor must fill out before transferring the property to the grantee, and an affidavit. This affidavit provides information about the grantor's marital status or heirship.

• Fill Up the Deed Forms: Fill in all applicable information in the Mississippi quitclaim deed form. Although Mississippi does not have a standard quitclaim deed form, being able to use a template means you can make sure you include everything that could be required.

  Make sure to fill out the legal description of the property, the names and addresses of the grantor and grantee, and the preparer's information. While you do those, fill out the affidavit regarding marital status and fill out the property disclosure form.

  This can be done if one completes all required paperwork beforehand. Remember not to sign or date the quitclaim deed until you are in front of a notary.

• Notarize the Deed: According to Mississippi law, your quitclaim deed needs to be notarized. The notary will witness the signing of your paper and affix the official seal. When you go to have it notarized, you will be asked to show a government-issued ID for identification purposes.

• File the Deed: To record your deed, you will need to submit it to the chancery court clerk in the county where your property is located. Remember, this may be a different county from in which the grantor or grantee resides.

  When filing, be prepared to pay the requisite fees, including a $25 filing fee for the deed. Mississippi also charges an additional $1 fee for each page exceeding five pages. Before filing, make sure to create copies of the deed for each party involved.